What is a Pack?

A pack is a group of Cub Scouts, adult leaders and parents who belong to the same Cub Scout unit (e.g., Pack 27 of the Mustang District, Sam Houston Council). Our pack generally draws its membership primarily from Danish Elementary School that is associated with the pack's Chartered Organization. Each pack is made up of Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear and Webelos dens.

How Can I Join Pack 27?

In September we provide information about how to join Pack 27 to boys entering 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade at Danish Elementary School. There are usually two Scout Rally Nights at Danish; however, a boy can join our pack anytime during the year, and from whatever school.

Where does Pack 27 Meet?

Our Pack Meetings are located on the campus of Danish Elementary 11850 Fallbrook Dr. in the Hastings Green subdivision.

What Does It Cost to Join?

The membership fee for new Cub Scouts is $40.00 (from Sept. through December of the following year) payable when you register. This breaks down as: $10.00 National Dues, $17.00 Pack Dues, $1.00 National Insurance, and $12.00 Boy's Life Magazine. For enrolled scouts, the fees are pro-rated to 12 months. In the case of two scouts per family, some parents opt for only one copy of Boy's Life. To keep costs down, Cub Scouts participate in the annual Popcorn (fall) and Scout Fair ticket (spring) sales.

Out of these funds, the Pack pays for:

Registration fees and insurance for Scouts and adult leaders.

Subscriptions to Boy's Life magazine for each Scout who elected it.

Graduation Picnic, including neckerchief for Wolves, Bears, and Webelos I and a scout book for Webelos II's who continue on to their next rank.

Quality Unit patches.

Patches, belt loops, pins and other awards for Scouts.

Adult volunteer recognition awards.

Depending on the outcome of Fundraisers:

Most Summer events (Bowling and Swimming Party with pizza).

Blue & Gold Banquet: Entertainment, Decorations, Awards.

Pinewood Derby: Kits, Awards (including trophies), Polaroid photos, and required janitorial costs.

Raingutter Regatta: Kits & Awards.

Training Costs for Leaders.

Campouts.

What are Pack Meetings Like?

Each pack meeting is planned around a monthly theme, such as "To the Rescue", "My Family Tree", or "Music Magic", etc. Our pack meetings begin with a flag opening ceremony and end with a closing ceremony. Pack meetings include songs, skits, and games done by the dens. Advancements, adult recognitions, event announcements, and the Cubmaster's message are other activities. All Cub Scouts and at least one parent are expected to attend. Other family members are welcome to join in the fun!

What is a Den?

A den is a small group of boys (ideally 6-8) of the same grade level. Each den meets two or three nights per month to work on achievements and other activities. The den is led by adult Den Leaders and Assistant Den Leaders, who are responsible for planning and conducting each den meeting. Dens are also grouped by their grade, Tigers in 1st grade, Wolves in 2nd grade, Bears in 3rd grade, and Webelos in 4th and 5th grades.

What are Den Meetings Like?

Each den meeting is planned around a monthly theme, such as "To the Rescue", " My Family Tree ", or " Music Magic ", just like the pack meetings are. Most pack meetings include songs, skits, games, advancements, adult recognition, the Cubmaster's message and other activities. All Cub Scouts and at least one parent are expected to attend. Other family members are welcome.

What are my responsibilities as a Cub Scout Parent?

We hope you will volunteer as a Cub Scout Leader or a Committee Member. If you are unable to do so, there are still a number of things that are expected of you, as a Scout Parent:

All parents should:

1. Buy your son the uniform and book appropriate for his age. Boys should have the correct book, shirt, belt, council patch, pack number, den or patrol patch, neckerchief, and neckerchief slide. There is a class A shirt, collared with all of the patches, and a class B shirt, which is usually a tee shirt with the school name and pack number.

2. Regularly attend the monthly pack meeting with your son. We have a 1-hour Pack Meeting each month. Your son will be recognized with awards and patches at some pack meetings. You should be there to share in his success!

3. Attend den meetings. There are two or three 1-hour den meetings per month. Each family should bring snacks to den meetings in rotation (if the den leader chooses to serve snacks in the den meetings).

4. Get your son to and from pack and den meetings punctually, and in uniform. At den meetings, Scouts usually earn achievements needed for rank advancement. Please make sure that your Scout is in uniform at all Scouting activities and meetings.

5. Attend, with your son, as many Scout activities as possible. Scout Fair, camp-outs, fieldtrips, Pinewood Derby, the Blue & Gold Banquet and picnics, usually done with the whole pack. These are fun experiences you can share with your son and help encourage him to continue with scouting. All Cub Scouts must be accompanied by a parent on camp-outs.

6. Help your son earn achievements at home. There is not enough time at den meetings to cover all requirements. Religious requirements must be done by the Scout's family. Be aware of any achievements your son is lacking and keep the leader informed about your son's progress.

7. Attach your son's awards to his uniform promptly. Show him you are proud of his success in Cub Scouting. Advancements are a permanent part of his class A uniform. Other patches may be worn temporarily on the right pocket.

8. Be ready to assist your son's den leader. Sharing your interesting hobby with the den, helping to organize a den field trip, or regularly attending den meetings are each ways to support your son's den leader.

9. Support our pack's fund-raisers (Popcorn and Scout Fair ticket sales). Help your son sell these items.

Who Runs the Pack?

The pack is run entirely by unpaid volunteers.

The Pack Committee, which currently consists of the Committee Chairman, Cubmaster, Assistant Cubmaster, the Charter Organization Representative, the Treasurer, and the Den Leaders, develops budgets, approves expenses, arranges for facilities and conducts overall planning. The Committee meets generally the second Sunday of the month to plan for the next Pack Meeting.

The Den Leaders and Assistant Den Leaders are most directly involved with the Cub Scouts. Dens generally meet weekly or bi-weekly, and a Den Leaders meeting is held monthly to discuss issues of common concern.

An adult member of each Cub Scout household is expected to participate in a volunteer position or serve on a committee. In addition to Pack Committee and Den Leader positions, Pack 27 generally tries to fill other volunteer positions (e.g., Membership Chairman, Advancement Chairman, Den Leader Coach, Tiger Cub Organizer) and have 8-10 committees (e.g., Blue and Gold Banquet, Pinewood Derby, Graduation Picnic, Campouts)

What is a Chartered Organization?

Our Chartered Organization is the sponsoring organization for a Cub Scout pack, the Danish Elementary PTO. The primary responsibilities of the Chartered Organization are to help select the leadership of the pack and provide a meeting place. Each year, the pack must renew its Charter with its local council. The Chartered Organization must approve the re-chartering application in order for the Charter to be renewed.

Where Can I Get More Information?

Contact one of our Pack or Den Leaders. Email addresses are provided on our sites. We hope you come and scout us out! Best regards, Pack 27 Leaders.